Look what I got yesterday, an Astron SSH007J, one of the new Astron 5X53 series. The NYC Boutique got the new models in Friday, just one of each in the December series (4 styles now, 2 more due in February), and I was lucky enough to grab my first choice. Picture at the bottom of this message. You can check out the whole new 5X53 Astron line at the Seiko site, https://www.seikowatches.com/us-en/products/astron. There's also a white jeweled "Ladies" (SBXC004) style I've only seen available in Japan that's not listed in the US site; it's a nice variance from all the black styles, and worth checking out if you like white watches, even if you're not a Lady. https://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/collections/en/astron/SBXC004

This is not my first Seiko, but it is my first Astron. So far, 24 hours later, I love it. 43mm wide, 12mm thick, and it looks and wears like a "normal" watch, not a monster solar GPS. It's much dressier than I thought it would be, and it's SO light! I've been wearing a stainless steel Breitling for the past couple of years (along with a steel Bell & Ross), and this is a whole different experience. I've never had any need for a stopwatch function, but I really need a second time zone, so this model is perfect for me. They say the GPS system in the 5X53 series is the best yet, but I have no previous experience with any GPS watch and all I can relate is that I live in an apartment in the middle of Manhattan, and the 5X53 will grab the time (only one GPS Satellite needed) when I stand by a window. To grab the time zone requires four or more Satellites, and I have to go outside (to Times Square, in this case) before it will set the time zone (which it does).

The was no "Complete Manual" in the box, just the tiny "Handy Manual" (three copies, in different languages). The Handy Manual is fine, but it's not complete, just mostly complete. I don't know if Seiko doesn't include a printed Complete Manual anymore, of if it's just missing from my box. Since the previous GPS module series (8X53) does NOT use exactly the same programming, you really want the correct manual. It took a bit of digging, but I found the new 5X53 Complete Manual online at Seiko as a PDF file. You can grab it at the "Download 5X53 Complete Manual" link at the very bottom of this message, after the picture below, if you like.

I also took a little time to make myself a cheat sheet with all the settings, which is listed below. The only function I'm not sure of, and I can't find in the Complete Manual, is what pressing the "B" button when the crown is in Pos 0 shows you. On my watch the second hand goes to the "No reception" point on the dial (at the 52 second mark), and the little indicator points to the "AUTO" setting on the AUTO-ST-DST group. So does this mean that the last GPS time zone (4+ Sat) reading didn't get the DST setting? That doesn't really make sense... (The last GPS time zone, 4+ Sat function did acquire the time zone, and indicated it worked).

Here's the cheat sheet:

Crown in Pos 0 - Normal Operating Mode
Press A to check last GPS setting (Y/N, indicator hand). Hold A for 3 seconds to set GPS Time.
???Press B to check last GPS DST setting (Y/N)??? Hold B for 3 seconds to set GPS Time Zone.
Hold A and B for 1 second to toggle Main-Dial and Sub-Dial settings.

Crown to Pos 1 - Display Main Time Zone
Turning Crown sets Main Time Zone manually.
Press A to toggle Main Time Zone DST manually.
Hold B to toggle In-Flight Mode.

Manual Time Setting Mode
1) Turn the crown to adjust the Main hands to desired time.
Check the date change to set the correct AM/PM.
Seconds will start from 0 when the crown is pushed back in.

Preliminary Position Setting Mode
1) Second hand @ 36 second position
Crown adjust Sub-Dial to 12:00AM
Don't forget the AM/PM indicator
PRESS B
2) Second hand @ 7 second position
Crown adjust Day to Sunday
PRESS B
3) Second hand @ 18 second position
Crown adjust Date to 1
PRESS B
4) Second hand @ 0 second position
HOLD A for 3 seconds.
Hours and Minutes hands should go to 12 AM.
Push in the Crown, and then set the time, either via GPS or manually.

I'd be happy to answer any questions I can. So far the only thing I can think of that I wish were different is the base accuracy of the movement. For this price and complexity, I would expect better than the average ±15 seconds a month. A good thermo compensated movement should be able to do ±15 seconds a year... Yes, I know, the GPS should make that unnecessary, but still...

Billy

ps Am I missing something, or is there only one picture and one link allowed per message, and they must be at the end rather then inline?